SAN BERNARDINO >> Eastlake Little League of Sammamish, Wash., had made a habit of late-inning heroics, such as its walk-off win over Idaho in the Northwest Region semifinals on Thursday.

On Saturday, for the Northwest championship, there were heroics, but the late innings were not necessary.

Washington scored six runs in the first inning and went on to rout Big Sky Little League of Billings, Mont., 13-1 in a game at Al Houghton Stadium stopped after 3 1/2 innings because of the mercy rule.

Washington advances to the Little League World Series, opening play on Thursday. It is the first trip to Williamsport. Pa., for Eastlake, which had never before reached the regionals.

“These kids have a lot of character,” Washington manager Rob Chandler said. “When the chips are on the line, these guys always come back. They do their job. This is a huge accomplishment.”

“This is a dream for every 11, 12 and 13-year-old,” first baseman Will Armbruester said.

Montana pitcher Jayden Kay struggled with the strike zone at the outset, and Washington took advantage.

The first five batters reached base on four walks and a single before Austin Oh stepped to the plate with the bases loaded.

“I was down 0-2, then I got it back to 3-2,” said Oh, one of the heroes of Thursday’s win. “I knew I had to protect the plate, and I got a pitch to hit.”

Oh’s triple made it 5-0 with no outs in the first and prompted an early pitching change. Oh wrapped up the scoring in the first when he scored on a wild pitch. Oh added a two-run double in the second inning.

“He hit well. We’re going to work on his defense,” said Chandler with a smirk.

It was all plenty of offense for Jack Matheson, who hit some rough spots, but still was able to complete the game in 85 pitches. He allowed four hits, walked two, allowed one unearned run and struck out seven.

“I really wanted to be able to finish the game (on the mound),” Matheson said.

Armbruester went 3 for 3 with two doubles, three runs scored and two RBIs.

Jacob Dahlstrom, who pitched well but went 0 for 3 in the semifinals, belted a two-run homer in the third inning estimated at 278 feet that made it 11-1 and put Washington on the brink of going to Williamsport. He credited Armbruester with his improved offense.

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“Will told me I was dropping my hands, so I kept my hands up high. We have the same hitting coach.”

Montana, which shut out Oregon in the semifinals, scored its only run in the third inning after Connor Polkowske led off with a single and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice.